Stretcher construction



Nov. 5, 1968 D. J. JARMAN 3,408,664

STRETCHER CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 16, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR.

DAVID J. JARMAN ATTORNEYS Nov. 5, 1968 D. J. JARMAN 3,408,664

STRETCHER CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 16, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 ENTOR. FlG's DAVID J. JARMAN BY if ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,408,664 STRETCHER CONSTRUCTION David J. Jarman, 3520 Michigan,

Cincinnati, Ohio 45208 Filed Feb. 16, 1967, Ser. No. 616,540 11 Claims. (Cl. 582) i ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to a stretcher construction whereby the stretcher is constructed of two sections of different dimension and having improved locking means for locking the sections together thereby facilitating the placing of a patient upon the stretcher and removal of a patient from the stretcher.

such'excessivemovement. In'addition, many of such present stretcher constructions are expensive to produce while 1 others require a very tedious lacing of a separate member such as a string or a rigid member through openings provided in adjoining stretcher sections to enable interlocking such sectionstogether. Such lacing technique is generally very time consuming and often results in the separate lacing member being misplaced and lost.

Accordingly, it is a feature of this invention to provide an improved locking device of simple and economical construction and particularly adapted for locking together in an off-center way stretcher means comprised ,of a plurality of sections.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved locking device for locking together in an off-center way adjoining side edge means of first and second sections comprising an improved stretcher, such locking device making it possible to quickly and easily assemble such sections to form a stretcher under a patient, merely by rolling the patient a small amount first to one side and then to the other side without requiring that such patient be lifted.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved stretcher having such improved locking device and comprised of a plurality of sections which are readily locked together under a patient with minimum movement of such patient and then after carrying the patient to a v desired destination are quickly and readily unlocked enabling lateral withdrawal of such plurality of sections with minimum disturbance of such patient, whereby the tendency for further injury to a patient is minimized through the use of such improved stretcher and improved locking device. When patient is placed on operating table stretcher is readily and easily withdrawn because locking device overhangs table and is away from patients body.

Another :feature of this invention is to provide an improved stretcher comprised of two sections having such improved locking device which is simple to operate and capable of supporting heavy weights.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved stretcher comprised of two sections having such unique locking device integrally provided with such two ice sections assuring that such locking device is not lost or misplaced in the process of using such stretcher.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved stretcher and an improved locking device for locking together a plurality of sections comprising such stretcher having one or more of the novel features of this invention as set forth above or hereinafter shown or described. i Other objects, uses, and advantages of this invention are apparent from a reading of this description which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating animproved stretcher of this invention comprised of a plurality of two sections and showing such stretcher with the two sections in their unfastened positions.

FIGURE-2 is a perspective view showing the stretche of FIGURE 1 assembled together to form :a single structure ready for carrying a patient thereon.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view illustrating cooperating fastening means provided on each of the two sections of the stretcher illustrated in FIG- URES l and 2 and particularly showing locking means for locking the two sections of such stretcher together.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary plan view with parts in section and parts broken away illustrating the stretcher of FIGURE 1 with the two sections positioned together prior to placing the locking means in locking position.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view with parts in section and parts broken away illustrating the stretcher sections placed together as shown in FIGURE 4 and with the locking means locking such sections together.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter illustrated and described as being particularly adaptable for providing an improved locking device for locking together a plurality of adjoining sections of a stretcher and to an improved stretcher having such improved locking device, it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in any combination thereof to provide an improved locking device for locking together a plurality of adjoining sections irrespective of their intended use.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodiments illustrated in the drawings because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

In the exemplary embodiment of this invention illustrated in the drawings and particularly as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 an improved stretcher designated generally by the numeral 20 is illustrated. Stretcher 20 of this example of the invention has a plurality of two sections shown as a first section 21 and a second section 22 which is wider than section 21 which sections are adapted to be fastened together and locked in position to enable carrying of a patient thereon.

Each section 21 and 22 has handle means shown as a suitable handle extending along the outer edge thereof and designated by the same numeral 23 for each of thesections 21 and 22. Each handle 23 is made of a suitable material and is suitably fastened in position to its associated section to enable carrying of a patient on stretcher 20.

The improved locking device of this invention enables sections 21 and 22 of stretcher 20 to be easily inserted under a patient, for example, by first rolling the patient to one side and inserting the wider section 22 all the way under the patient and then rolling such patient substantially fully onto section 22 so that the fastening means are adjacent one side of the patient and easily joined with and inserting narrower section 21 into position, adjoining section 22. In this manner the patient is positioned in approximately the center of the stretcher even though the s'ectionsare of different widths. Cooperating fastening the desired destination. 7 e

'The'manner in which sections 21"a'nd22 are fastened and lockedtogether in'wa foolproof positive manner be apparent from the detailed description of the improved" device "of this invention which follows. Alsofa patient previously carried "on 's't'retche'r '20 is easily removed therefrom-at the desired destination by actuating suitable meansatone end of the stretcher to unlock the fastening means and enable sections 21 and 22 to be pulled away fromthep'atient in a lateraldirection.

Section 21 has firstfastening means therein comprised of a plurality of fastening bracket means "supported along fits adjoining side edge and each design-atedb'y "the numeral 26. Section 22 has a plurality of'fastening means supported along its adjoining side edge and comprised of a plurality of bracket means or brackets arranged therealong-in spaced apart relation and each designated by the numeral 27. Brackets 26 and 27 are spacedoutwardly from the sides of their respective sections 21 and 22 so that upon placing sections 21' ancl 22 together brackets 26 and 27- are properly aligned and enable such sections to be suitably locked together.

Each bracket 26 in section 21 has projection means such as a projection 30 extending beyond its associated side edge means. Each projection 30 has, in this example of the invention, opening means such as a substantially cylindrical bore therein as indicated at 31'. The axis-of opening means or bore 31 is arranged so that it is spaced apart from while extending parallel to its adjoining side edge of section21.'

Each bracket 26 is preferably fixed to its associated side edge means by suitable means shown in this example asa pair of rivets each designated by the numeral 32.

Projection 30 in this example of the invention preferably has a central cutout 33 having a width as shown at 33A and extending from the outer edge of projection 30 inwardly toward stretcher section 21 so as to fully expose the substantially cylindrical bore 31. Bracket: 26 is constructed and arranged to receive a cooperating portion of an associated bracket 27 within its cutout 33 to enable fastening sections 21 and 22 together in a manner as will be substantially described.

Each fastening bracket 27 is fastened along its adjoiningside'edge means of section 22 and has projection means shown as a'projection 35 extending beyond such adjoining side edge means.- Projection 35 has a width as shown at 36 which is slightly smaller than the width 33A of cutout 33 and is such that upon placing sections 21 and 22 in adjoining relation projection 35 is received within cutout 33 provided in bracket 26.

'Each bracket 27 is also suitably fastened along its adjoining side edge means of section 22 in'any suitable manner and in this example is preferably'fastened in position by rivet means shown as a pair of rivets each designated by the numeral 40.

Thus, it is seen that the fastening means comprises fastening brackets 26 and 27 which are constructed andarranged to cooperate so'that portion 35 of bracket 27 is received within cutout portion 33 of bracket 26 to enable fastening sections 21 and 22 together in a suitable manner using lock means which will be presently described.

The lock means for locking sections 21 and 22 together could be carried by either section 21 or 22. However,

in'this example of the invention such lock means is carried by stretcher section 21. The lock means is constructedand arranged to provide locking and unlocking with minimum movement of such locking means either toward the right or the left respectively of the stretcher shownin FIGURES 1 and 2. j

The lock'means comprises flexible means such as a flexiblelock operator 41 preferably made of a nonmetallic material, in this example of the invention, and extending along the full length of section 21. Lock operator ll has pull mea'ns shown aswa pair of pull rings each designated by the numeral 42 fastened to its opposite ends.

"Lock operator 41 in this example of the invention isv supported along section 21 by extending through openings 31 providedin each bracket 26. Thus, as seen particularly in FIGURES 1 and 3 of the drawings, lock operator 41 extends through openings 31 and has a portion thereof (easily-visible upon viewing bracket 26 fror'n the exteriorthereof) which extends through cutout 33 in"br acket -The lock means furthercomprises pin means shown as a plurality'of tapered locking pins 43 fixed in spaced apart relation along lock operator 41 adjacent an associated bracketj26, Each lock or lock pin 43 comprises a taperedsect'ion shown at 44 and a collar shown at 45.

Tapered section 44 enables each locking pin 43 to be inserted in bore 31 and a cooperating opening 37 or bore provided in projection 35, as which will be described later, with little likelihood of hang-up or improper insertion. Collar 45 controls the movement in one direction and assures that pin43 is properly stopped once flexible lock operator 41 has been pulled a sufficient amount to the right to provide locking.

A plurality of ferrule means or ferrules corresponding in number to the number of locking pins 43vand each designated-by the numeral 46 are provided along locking operator41. Ferrules 46 prevent excessive movement of lockoperator 43 along stretcher section 21 during unlocking of sections 21 and 22.

Each ferrule 45 engages the end of an associated bracket 26 to prevent such excessive movement. FIGURE 4 particularly illustrates a stop 46 engaged against an associated bracket 26 to prevent further movement, to the left in this illustration, or unlocking of the lock means.

The movement of the lock means is confined within a limited distance as determined by the distances each lock 43 and ferrule stop 46 is placed on either side of a bracket 26. Of course, each locking pin 43 and ferrule 46 is positioned' the same distance on either side of an associated bracket 26.

Thus, it is seen that during the unlockingaction each ferrule 46'engages one end of an associated bracket26, while during the locking of sections 21 and 22 collar 45 of locking pin 43 engages the opposite end of each bracket 26 to assure each lock 43 is positioned at its optimum locking position and to further assure each lock 43 can not be pulled through its associated opening. Although each lock 43 has a'eollar 45"provided'thereon and a plurality of ferrules 46are illustrated it will be appreciated that the structuralfarrangement is such that only one collar 45 and-only'one ferrule is suflicient to limit the locking and unlocking movement.

Each bracket 27 with its projection 35 has been previously partially 'described. However, as will be apparent particularly in FIGURE 3 of the drawings, it will be seen thatprojcction 35 has a slot or a cutout provided therein as shown at 50. Cutout 50 extends across the full width 36 of projection '35 and is arranged generally with the axis of such cutout parallel with the side edge of section 22 and such axis is preferably substantially coplanar with section 22 with such section flattened or stretched out. The width across cutout 50 is such that it can be easily slipped over lockoperator 41.

Thus, it is seen that to lock sections 21 and 22 together, bracket '27 is aligned with bracket 26 so that male projection 35 thereof is positioned within cutout 33 in bracket 26. This is'made possiblebecausecutout slot 50 provided along projection 35 enables such projection to move past lock operator 41 supported within bores 31. of brackets 26 and allows bores 31 and 37 of brackets 26 and 27 respectively to be positioned in a coaxial manner. With bores 31 and 37 thus aligned lock operator 41 is pulled, to the right as seen in FIGURE 2, to thereby pull each lock 43 into engagement with wall means of brackets 26 and 27 defining bores 31 and 37 and firmly lock sections 21 and 22 together.

Thus, it is seen that sections 21 and 22 are simply and easily locked and unlocked with limited movement of the locking means. Furthermore, the dimensional tolerances of lock pins 43 and bores within brackets 26 and 27 as well as the cooperating arrangements of such brackets are such that stretcher 20 is capable of carrying high loads i.e. heavy patients.

The openings 31 and 37 provided in brackets 26 and 27 respectively are preferably substantially right circular cylindrical in configuration while cooperating locks 43 are also preferably of corresponding cylindrical configuration. It' will be appreciated that the particular configurations of the openings and of the associated locks are not controlling and may be made having other configurations, as desired.

In this example of the invention, the locking means comprising lockoperator 41, lock 43 and associated members are shown as being provided on section 21 and extending through openings 31 in each bracket 26. It will be appreciated that the novel features of this invention may be utilized in providing suitable locking means similar in basic function yet associating with brackets 27 and carried on section 22.

The locking device of this invention does not require separate parts which can be separated from the stretcher sections and thereby possibly cause such parts to be lost. In addition, the arrangement is such that a stretcher constructionhaving high strength is provided.

The locking means 41 may be made of any flexible material which does not stretch axially and is preferably made of a non-metallic material. The lock section 44 and ferrules 46 are preferably made of metal so as to be easily formed and fastened against lock operator 41 in a clamping manner.

Terms such as left, right, etc. have been used in this disclosure of the invention merely to identify and describe the action of the locking device of this invention and the manner of using the exemplary stretcher as illustrated in the drawings. It will be appreciated that the stretcher may be positioned in any desired manner and that the use of such terms should not be considered as limiting the scope of this invention in any Way.

Thus, it is seen that an improved stretcher and an improved and unique locking device for a stretcher construction comprised of a plurality of sections having different widths have been provided which are of simple and economical construction. Such improved locking device enables a stretcher comprised of a plurality of sections having different widths to be simply and quickly fastened together and under a patient without lifting the patient with minimum movement of such patient while also enabling such patient to be removed from the stretcher without lifting.

Constructing the sections of different widths whereby the locking means assume an off-center position facilitates the placement of the patient on the stretcher as contrasted to a stretcher of the same over all width but having each section of equal width and the locking means in a central position. By placing the patient on the larger section first, the patient is accommodated upon a larger surface than a stretcher having two of equal Widths thereafter the smaller section is attached to provide the same over all carrying surface as a stretcher of the same width but having two sections of equal width.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed as required by statute, other forms may be used, all coming within the scope of the claimed subject matter which follows.

What is claimed is:

1. In a stretcher construction comprised of a plurality of sections an improved locking device for locking together adjoining side edge means of first and second sections comprising, a plurality of spaced locking means supported by one of said sections along its adjoining side edge means, a plurality of engaging means supported by said second section along its adjoining side edge means and arranged therealong to cooperate with and simultaneously engage said spaced locking means and control means for moving said engaging means into simultaneous engagement with said locking means, whereby said engaging means and locking means are lockable simultaneously by a short movement of said control means.

2. A locking device as set forth in claim 1 in which said lock means comprises flexible means extending along the full length of said one section and having pull means at each end thereof.

3. In a stretcher construction comprised of a plurality of sections an improved locking device for locking together adjoining side edge means of first and second sections, comprising first fastening means supported by said first section along its adjoining side edge means, second fastening means supported by the said second section along its adjoining side edge means and arranged therealong to cooperate with said first fastening means, and lock means carried by one of said sections along side edge means thereof and supported for limited movement therealong to enable locking and unlocking said first and second sections from terminal end means of said adjoining sections, whereby said sections are easily locked and unlocked under a patient with minimum disturbance of such patient, said lock means comprising flexible means extending along the full length of said one section and having pull means at each end thereof, pin means fixed to said flexible means and adapted to be moved said limited movement in one direction to engage said first and second fastening means and provide said locking and in an opposite direction to disengage said fastening means to enable unlocking of said first and second sections.

4. The locking device as set forth in claim 3 in which said first fastening means comprises first fastening bracket means fixed to said first section and having first projection means extending beyond its associated side edge means, said first projection means having first opening means therein arranged with its axis parallel to its adjoining side edge means, and said second fastening means'comprises second fastening bracket means fixed to said second section and having second projection means extending beyond its associated side edge means, and said second projection means having second opening means therein arranged with its axis parallel to its adjoining side edge means, such that upon placing said first and second sections in adjoining relation said first and second projection means are placed alongside each other with the axes of said first and second opening means arranged c0 axially and upon actuating said lock means said pin means is moved to extend through said first and second opening means and is retracted therefrom to respectively fasten and unfasten said first and second sections.

5. The locking device as set forth in claim 4 in which said first bracket means comprises a plurality of spaced apart bracket means each having associated first opening means therein, said second bracket means comprises a plurality of spaced apart bracket means each having as sociated second opening means therein and spaced apart to cooperate with said first bracket means, said flexible means comprising said lock means comprises a plurality of said locking pin means corresponding in number to the number of bracket means and each fixed along said flexible means to correspond to the spacing of said spaced apart bracket means, and said flexible means is supported along said first section by extending through said first opening means with said locking pin means being positioned adjacent said first bracket means.

6. The locking device as set forth in claim in which said first projection means in each of said first bracket means comprises a pair of separated projections each having first opening means therein with said separated projections being arranged so that said first opening means therein are arranged coaxially, said second projection means in each of said second bracket means has an axial dimension corresponding to the distance between said pair of separated projections in each of said first bracket means, and further comprising cutout means in the terminal outer end portion of each of said second projection means adapted to enable side surfaces thereof to be p0- sitioned on either side of said flexible means of said lock means, whereby said first and second sections are fastened together by positioning said second projection means between said pair of separated projections of said first bracket means so that said opening means provided in said separated projections and in said second projection means are coaxially arranged and upon pulling said flexible means each locking pin means engages an associated set of cooperating first and second bracket means to firmly lock said first and second sections together.

7. The locking device as set forth in claim 6 in which each of said pin means comprises tapered locking pin means adapted to be inserted Within associated opening means in said first and second projection means, said tapered arrangement thereof enabling easy insertion of said tapered pin means in locking position through associated opening means and said pin means having stop means preventing excessive movement in one direction to provide a stop during locking of said first and second sections together, and said locking device further comprising locking ferrule means fixed to said flexible means in spaced apart relation from said tapered pin means and adapted to engage said first bracket means when pulled in an opposite direction from the direction of pulling said tapered pin means to lock said first and second sections together, said step means and said ferrule means defining the extent of said limited movement of said lock means.

8. The locking device as set forth in claim 7 in which said tapered locking pin means is fixed to said flexible means by being deformed in position therearound and arranged coaxially therewith and said locking ferrule stop means is similarly deformed about said flexible means while being arranged coaxially therewith.

9. The locking device as set forth in claim 8 in which said flexible means comprises flexible lock operator means and said pull means at each end of said flexible lock operator means comprises pull ring means fixed to said flexible lock operator means to enable easy pulling of said flexible lock operator in one direction or the other to enable easy locking and unlocking of said first and second sections.

10. The locking device as set forth in claim 9 in which said unlocking'means in each of said first and second projection means is of generally circular effective cross section, and said tapered locking pin meansis of gen erally circular cross section at any section therealong to enable locking said first and second sections'together ir-,

respective of the angular displacement of each .of said tapered pin means relative to its associated opening means.

11. In a stretcher construction comprising two sections, fastening means for locking said sections together, the first of said sections having a width greater on one side of said fastening means than the width of said section on the opposite side of said fastening means, said first section having a width sufficient to substantially support a patient thereon, whereby said first section may be placed under the patient by rolling the patient onto said first section and thereafter said smaller section placed adjacent said first section and locked to said first section by said fastening means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,871,680 8/1932 Flanagan 5-82 2,142,770 1/1939 Wcid 24-205.19 X 2,999,251 9/1961 Hedges 5-82 3,111,687 11/1963 Sacks 5-82 FOREIGN PATENTS 446,204 1/ 1948 Canada.

CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner. 

